Huckabee takes a slap at Romney

DES MOINES -- The political news Thursday was dominated by Mitt Romney's semi-channeling of John F. Kennedy as he sought to lay aside concerns by some -- particularly evangelical Christians -- about his Mormon faith. A raft of our colleagues wrote about the speech here.

But missed in all of the post-speech hullabaloo was a well-delivered shot by Mike Huckabee, currently surfing a wave of support to the top tier of the Republican field of candidates. In an interview with CNN's Glenn Beck last night, Beck asked Huckabee, who cut his public-speaking teeth as an evangelical Christian pastor -- whether he could vote for a Mormon as president.

Huckabee swerved around the question and broadsided Romney -- without naming him -- over what many consider his core vulnerability, a history of shifting positions.

''You know, I don't know that that would be an impediment, but what I really want to do is I want [to vote] for somebody whose views are not just compatible with mine but whose views are compatible with their views. I want somebody to be consistent. I want someone whose compass points north and always has. I don't care if a person disagrees with me. Quite frankly, Glenn, I can live with someone who is 180 degrees different from me. I just want him to look me in the eye and tell me, 'This is what I believe.' Not because the political winds are blowing this way....''

"...[C]haracter has often been described and defined as ... who you are when nobody else is looking. And I think that's so important. People are looking for authenticity in their leaders. Not perfection. Because none of us can provide that. None of us can be perfect. But we can be authentic.''

Ouch.

UPDATE: Looks like the pastor was prescient rather than reactive. Although this interview aired Thursday night and the online transcript linked above is dated Dec. 6, some of our eagle-eyed commenters point out that the interview apparently took place several weeks ago. Which, frankly, makes Huckabee's comments all the more interesting.

-- Scott Martelle

Comments

[Greg]

Rightly said! The problem with romney is not his Mormornism but his flipflops.

[Derek]

Governor Huckabee is just pointing out the obvious, I mean slick Mitt problem isn't his faith, but instead is that in his entire political career he has not stayed consistent on any issues. The man flips and flops trying to play to which ever crowds are in front of him. Basically he just can't be trusted. The good news for Mitt is that his friends from club for greed is out for blood on Governor Huckabee, good thing for Governor Huckabee is that nobody is buying the phony baloney coming out of either camp. GO HUCKABEE

[David Leavins]

I agree with the last two comments. The conservative media (Sean Hannity) is trying to take the view off of Mitt's constant flip flopping and say that everybody is on Mitt because he is a Mormon. I really never hear about his religious beliefs until someone like Hannity brings it up. I am a Evangelical Christian and the fact that he is a Mormon has never affected my view of him. Just like Presidents that are Catholics or call therselves christians but do not act like one I do not make my voting decision on that fact. To me it appears that Mitt is trying to make a move towards the Religious people because he thinks that is why he is losing but if he would just wake up and realize that the reason he is losing is because he is not believable maybe he could find a way to fix that but at this point that would be hard to do. The american people are looking for someone they trust and the one who has stood out and has the most executive experience is Gov. Huckbaee and so they are rallying around him.

[Don Hannaford]

Go Huckabee!! Go Ron Paul!! The only 2 honest grass roots candidates!!

[Dean]

Huckabee's comments regarding who he WOULD vote for are only a "slap" at Romney to the extent that the reader doesn't believe the detailed qualities are to be found in Romney. Hence, such a list it thought to exclude Romney -- thereby being an exclusionary "slap."

However, if you felt that Romney embodied such qualities, then Huckabee's comments could easily be construed to bolster Romney.

When Huckabee details his own virtues, how is that a slap? It's all in the perspective/perception of the reader regarding the other candidate.

[Jason Tolbert]

Instead of taking a shot at Romney's religion as he is often falsely accused of doing, he pointed out a real reason to support himself over Romney. This was not a "shot" it was a fact. Perhaps that is real reason to say, "Ouch!"

[Maggie in Texas]

I am not 100% sure, but I believe that interview was done weeks if not months ago. All of Glen Beck's shows this week have been old interviews and I think I recall seeing this one with Gov. Huckabee before....

I do want it know that I agree 100% with Mike Huckabee. The Mormon issue is a non-issue, for me, but the old views and this big change from them, does have me concerned that Mitt Romny is choosing the route of list resistance and not really speaking his mind.

Anyone else have a feeling of Dejavu ?(spelling may be off...grin)

[Chris]

I've noticed (like everyone else) that Huckabee has been rising in the polls. It seems like the media actually believes he has the opportunity to win now.

Huckabee is just a regular guy with an incredible message. I checked out:

www.mikehuckabee.com
and
www.hucksarmy.com

and got some good info. I didn't know that Huckabee was a supporter of the fair tax...kinda cool.

[Gabe Solano]

Will Huckabee enforce internal immigration laws and cut off the magnet for illegals?? He wanted to give college money to illegal aliens-what are we supposed to believe? Is he willing to admit he was wrong to do this??

[truthseeker]

Isn't it sad the the guy leading the Republican polls is a Baptist preacher who does not believe in evolution and constantly talks about his faith to anyone and everyone who will listen ?

Is he running for President of Oral Roberts University or of the USA??

[Tony]

Benefits you will receive if you vote for Mike Huckabee:

1. He will eliminate the IRS
a. You can take home 100% of your pay.
b. Government reduces spending by $50m/yr
c. Companies return from overseas outsourcing.
d. More jobs become available in America.

2. He will switch to alternative fuels in 10 years.
a. Middle East feels the pressure, drops oil prices.
b. Gas prices drop like a rock saving you thousands.
c. Middle East cracks down on terrorists very hard.
d. The environment improves making air cleaner.

Whether you are Democrat, Republican or in between Independant, all of you would want these benefits. Mike Huckabee is the ONLY canididate willing to make these changes.

Do not let all the other canidates, media and naysayers of negative politics get in the way of you receiving these huge benefits. It's only possible if you vote for Mike Huckabee.

Please check it out yourself @ MikeHuckabee.com

[tk]

Hey, that clip of Huckabee on Glenn Beck was taped back in October and reaired last night.

[Matt]

This blog is based on ignorance...

The Glen Beck interview that Scott is referencing was a REPLAY last night of an interview from OCTOBER! Beck was on vacation.

Huckabee does NOT do negative politics...but I guess the media just cant handle that, so they take what he said (months ago) and make it a "slap" at Romney's speech from two months in the future.

Maybe Mike got ahold of the rough draft from October, HAH!

[Carl Loeber]

all Romney really did .. it is not changing his views .. it is representing the people who vote for him .. he told liberal Massachusetts that he would not charge the current law that they wanted for abortion for instance .. but he still received the accolade of prolife groups because he was personally prolife and did work for other prolife measures ..

say for gun laws .. the same ..

I can even see him changing to Democrat if that is the way to work with the legsislature and get the work done that is best for the country ..

He is a businessman for whom the greatest task is to get things done rather than working to the party line or posturing ..

[steve snow, suwanee,ga.]

It's sad not that Mr. Romney gave such a lame report to the brethren regarding his affiliation with God and Country, but that he thought it so necessary to do so. Religion has been the bane of this nation over the past eight years for no other reason than that those who are so vocal in its defense know so little about our Constitution. Article 1, Freedom from religion andf all those who would hold us to hyper Christianity. Maybe the electorate will get it correct next time.

[tyson]

Huckabee is a bigot and I don't think it is very hard to see through him. He is a smooth talker and Republicans should be wary. #1, he is too liberal. #2, he is absolutely not electable. Can we really take seriously a guy who's number one issue is abolishing the IRS. Ok, even I will admit that our tax system needs a facelift, but abolishing the IRS? How's are government supposed to function? Where is the money going to come from? Huckabee is a joke and if he gets the nomination, Republicans, you can kiss any dream of keeping the white house or winning back seats in Congress. But...I really don't think Iowans know much about picking presidents. Let's leave that to New Hampshire and serious states, not bible toting evangelical bigots. When did they ever become the gatekeepers to who is Christian and who isn't. In my opinion, anyone who judges another and says someone is not Christian is on the road to hell!

[Patrick M.]

What I don't want is a candidate who is incapable of learning and changing his or her mind on further reflection. The notion that a candidate must cast his or her positions in stone is ridiculous because it means that one must have a dead and buried mind incapable of learning and growing. Huckabee may be such a candidate. Romney has forthrightly explained the experiences that led him to reassess abortion and gay rights. His explanations are rational and appear to me to be real. I wouldn't want someone who does one thing (raising numerous taxes like Huckabee) and yet claims to be another (a fiscal conservative). What else has Romney changed perspectives on except these two high profile and rather crucial Republican issues? Such changes are quite understandable given Romney's very clear explanations for his changing views.

Romney has experience in the real world dealing pragmatically in business to find what works and learning from what doesn't. Huckabee is a career politician who knows nothing but the public coffers. That makes the choice between them real easy for me.

[Wendy 73]

Is it "playing to each crowd" or "leading each crowd"? Great comment Carl.
Leaders take people from where they are to where they can be. It is a process and change does not come easily. We are creatures of habit. A great leader has vision and purpose and understands how to bring about needed change for the benefit of all.

[Jesse]

Vote for Mike Huck-an-Idiot he'll solve all your problems. Give me a break. Old Mikey is trying to sport his "preacher past" to show how great he is. I know a lot of preachers that are dirty and I think he's one of them.

[Mel W.]

I believe there are politicians that look authentic and those that do not. But by the time you put yourself out there as a presidential candidate you have learned the art of compromise and already learned that you must venture into the disingenuous world of pleasing too many divergent interests to be a legitimate contender. But just because Mitt Romney doesn't know how to hide his equivocating, this doesn't mean that a folksy and seemingly authentic Huckabee is a pillar of genuiness either. Whether you see the two contenders as a monetary David and Goliath or just like Huckabee's personality more, I believe you'll find that Romney is in fact a man of good character and has financial and across-the-isle brokering abilities that will allow us to take on a ballooning budget deficit, medicare, and social security in a way that has never been done before. I believe that a person's character should be the primary criteria for a president, and, proudly displayed or otherwise, his wife and children are a credit to him.

[Don B from Nevada]

After listening to many of the presidential candidates over a number of months, on several issues, Romney seems to be one of the most promising and best prepared to be the next American president. I try to be objective and feel comfortable with him.

[Howard]

When Romney was 19 years old he left the love of his life, left his friends and family, went to France for two years where he was committed full time to his faith. Part of that was experience included preaching that abortion is a grave sin. He did this 7 days a week for two years. During this time he was never alone with a girl, didn't go to the movies, no parties or anything else frequently done by boys between the ages of 19-21. This is an experience few have the dedication or commitment to accomplish. Mike Huckabee is in absolutely no position to question Mitt's character. Mitt has lived his life beyond reproach. His 38 year marriage would indicate that Mitt's behavior when no one is looking is exemplar. He has Ann as his witness. As Mitt entered public service, he theorized that it was not government's role to impose his anti-abortion views on those he represented knowing full well most did not share those views. However, when the burden to govern was his and the bills were placed before him, his conscience demanded that he act consistent with his life-long belief that abortion is wrong, and that the constitution he is sworn to defend demands that he protect all life. He was a businessman with no experience in the public sector, his theory was wrong, but his personal views on abortion have always been the same. I guess this means that Mike Huckabee, by the standards he has outlined would have no problem voting for Mitt Romney. I am going to have a real problem voting for someone who is consciously using ministers of God, fueled by bigotry against Mormons as his grassroots network in Iowa.

[sam]

howard.
i understand your point, yet i cannot agree since willard has repeatedly shown himself an iconsistant man. many many times he has "changed" his views when that's where the wind is blowing.
i personally will be voting for someone who has been a lifelong supporter of life and truth. no names mentioned.

[Andrew]

I hope we all learn and grow - and realize new truths - and thus change our positions. If you are in the dark and have a flashlight - you won't be able to take the same path as if you have bright lamp that clearly shows the way. The fact that Romney changed his mind about abortion - is a good thing, and it shows he is humble enough to question his own positions - and to re-evaluate as science and other means reveal greater truth.

[cory l]

Romney is a flip-flopper. He can't be trusted by those that are "pro" or "anti" anything because he'll say whatever needs to be said at the time.

Many want to "like" Romney or "like" Huckabee. For those that feel the need to like their President I would only ask that they look at what liking the President has given us for the past seven, miserable years.